[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by margaretmattson

Big chain stores, like Costco, require a certain number of residents per mile. This demographic must include a range of age and income. Costco has a high volume of commercial, professional,
governmental, and church/charity buyers. I do not know the actual numbers, but I would not be surprised if these sales are much larger than personal. It is mandatory the site chosen is close to MANY as well as a variety of businesses, restaurants, offices, churches, schools, local and state government buildings. IMO, they did their homework.

We shall see in the next few months how difficult it will be to shop there

[jimkerr]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Do you really think opening will be end of July? So far Costco coming soon website doesn’t list TV yet. Once it’s listed opening is usually 60 days ish.

They are just listing Costco openings in August. So far no active website for hiring, which for Costco is at least 40 days prior to open. One of lower management is leaving Clearmont to work in TV. He has zero insider information, but hoping for September Grand opening

The sign at Costco says it opens August 6th.

[jimkerr]

Opening day is August 6th.

Originally Posted by Bill14564

Interesting. Ten days ago the gas pumps were in and the building appeared to be complete. I don't recall the condition of the parking lot (leveled, smoothed, paved, ???) but remember thinking I would be surprised if the store wasn't open by the end of July. Is 45 days Plenty of Time for Roadwork Alterations?

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by jimkerr

Opening day is August 6th.

So my WAG based on looking at it quickly as I drove past in the beginning of June was off by seven days? I’ll take that.

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

We shall see in the next few months how difficult it will be to shop there

Do you think shopping at this Costco will be Any Different than shopping at any Costco in any state?

In 20 years at our 8 Costco’s fuel lines are 10 plus car deep in every lane. Parking is at a premium within hour of opening. Checkout lines are 5-10 shoppers deep, food court is 5-15 minute wait.

The only difference this Costco will have golf carts along with cars that will be finding place to park. For us it doesn’t change our shopping, any everyday item comes to my front door, just like Amazon, Kroger, Walmart+. The need to shop crowded isles as an outing isn’t a priority.

We have the option of Costco shopping at 9am, because of membership status. For us no different, than waiting in line at Publix yesterday for 10 minutes, while a gentleman had in depth conversation with cashier about his dog,(with pics) that he can no longer bring in the store.

Which sometimes I am good with because many older gens are in need of human contact. Thankfully Costco cashiers will not have that issue, as their goal is too get the customer checked out quickly.

[Stu from NYC]

Originally Posted by asianthree

Do you think shopping at this Costco will be Any Different than shopping at any Costco in any state?

In 20 years at our 8 Costco’s fuel lines are 10 plus car deep in every lane. Parking is at a premium within hour of opening. Checkout lines are 5-10 shoppers deep, food court is 5-15 minute wait.

The only difference this Costco will have golf carts along with cars that will be finding place to park. For us it doesn’t change our shopping, any everyday item comes to my front door, just like Amazon, Kroger, Walmart+. The need to shop crowded isles as an outing isn’t a priority.

We have the option of Costco shopping at 9am, because of membership status. For us no different, than waiting in line at Publix yesterday for 10 minutes, while a gentleman had in depth conversation with cashier about his dog,(with pics) that he can no longer bring in the store.

Which sometimes I am good with because many older gens are in need of human contact. Thankfully Costco cashiers will not have that issue, as their goal is too get the customer checked out quickly.

We have never lived near a Costco and therefore never been a member. Have gone with our kids and very impressed and plan to get membership after things settle down. Interesting as Sams has never been overly crowded.

[Taltarzac725]

Travel to Burger King, KFC, Walmart, NYPD Pizza, Hobby Lobby, etc. by going by golf cart probably will be more difficult unless they can find a fast fix.

[fdpaq0580]

JMHO, but I think the traffic will be horrendous and a lot of folks that shop that area now will just quit going. The term "nightmare" comes to mind.

[golfing eagles]

Originally Posted by Taltarzac725

Travel to Burger King, KFC, Walmart, NYPD Pizza, Hobby Lobby, etc. by going by golf cart probably will be more difficult unless they can find a fast fix.

Based on my purchases at BJs, I don’t think my golf cart will ever have enough space to go to a bulk item store anyway

[BillyGrown]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Ok, my opinion looks like customers will be coming from all directions in central Florida to Costco’s off CR 446 and 301? Probably as far north as Gainesville or beyond?

301 already nightmare with bottle neck from CR42 to Summerfield. CR 42, CR 466, CR 484, and 30l all directions will be impacted. 466 and 301 intersections IMO can’t hardly handle traffic now due to turning lanes too short and not 2 lanes to turn north, south, and east on 301. This backs up traffic pass stop light at railroad tracks by Walmart. Not to mention when trains come? Also good luck getting through intersections in front Costco on side streets?

Also IMO the bottle neck after summerfield south should have been 4 lanes 10 years ago. Looks like they are working on bottleneck ( think they will be done before Costco’s opens?

Won’t most in the southern Villages still go to the closer Costco in Claremont? I don’t foresee huge amounts of traffic for the outlet.

[patfla06]

Originally Posted by 2newyorkers

I also live close to the new Costco but I will never take my golf cart that way again. Too many people will be driving cars that are not use to driving with golf carts.

Exactly! And they will have no patience with golf carts driving slow.
You wouldn’t be able to buy much at Costco driving a golf cart anyway.

[patfla06]

Went by Costco yesterday and their sign said opening August 6th at 8 a.m.

[patfla06]

Originally Posted by thelegges

Do you really think opening will be end of July? So far Costco coming soon website doesn’t list TV yet. Once it’s listed opening is usually 60 days ish.

They are just listing Costco openings in August. So far no active website for hiring, which for Costco is at least 40 days prior to open. One of lower management is leaving Clearmont to work in TV. He has zero insider information, but hoping for September Grand opening

Their website did list opening soon in The Villages in August 2025.

[BillyGrown]

Originally Posted by Topspinmo

Ok, my opinion looks like customers will be coming from all directions in central Florida to Costco’s off CR 446 and 301? Probably as far north as Gainesville or beyond?
)

“Beyond”???

First of all, Costco isn’t the only trick in town. Sam’s and BJ’s are close by. Ocala already has those discount outlets and a whole lot more shopping than here. What sane person would bypass those for a Costco? It wouldn’t be worth the trip to drive from Ocala or anywhere northward to even shop at Costco.

There has always been a Costco in Wesley Chapel and even one at Claremont. How many times a month do you travel to one of those?

[asianthree]

Originally Posted by BillyGrown

“Beyond”???

First of all, Costco isn’t the only trick in town. Sam’s and BJ’s are close by. Ocala already has those discount outlets and a whole lot more shopping than here. What sane person would bypass those for a Costco? It wouldn’t be worth the trip to drive from Ocala or anywhere northward to even shop at Costco.

There has always been a Costco in Wesley Chapel and even one at Claremont. How many times a month do you travel to one of those?

Long time Costco members have been driving to WC, Orlando, or Clearmont from TV. I have never in 20 years drove by a Costco parking lot that was less than 75% parking. We belong to Sam’s but after 20 years dropped membership as soon as Costco was announced. BJ was a one and done, I don’t coupon shop, not enough product I shop for. BJs only bonus lots of parking any time of day and basically no waiting in line for inside or fuel.

As far as sane shoppers, this week at Trader Joe’s, Whole Foods, and KK, in Gainesville, talk was about the new Costco opening. Many employees live near Ocala, so they will shop in TV.
Up north we drive past one of 8 Costco every week. Each Costco uniquely had different products along with stock items, Only shop Costco about once a month, everything else comes to front door. So same day delivery from Costco will be used weekly for us, no parking required.